Monroe, MI Interurban Cars Collide, Sep 1926

8 KILLED; 25 INJURED.

HEAD ON COLLISION OF TWO INTERURBAN CARS AT MONROE THURSDAY.

Monroe, Mich., Sept. 2. -- (UP) -- In an effort to fix responsibility for the head-on collision of two interurban cars here yesterday afternoon resulting in the death of eight persons and injury of 25 others, officials of the road today planned to question WM. OWEN, veteran motorman of the south-bound car.
The two cars came together on a 2,000 foot curve on the Detroit, Monroe & Toledo Shore Line while travelling at approximately forty miles an hour, according to witnesses.
OWEN was said to have been attempting to make up lost time, and failed to make a scheduled stop at Pine Siding to await the other car. He jumped and escaped with minor injuries, going to his home at Toledo.
ANDREW SCHLEGEL, motorman of the north-bound car, is in a serious condition today,unable to make a statement. Others injured were expected to recover.
The dead are:
JOSEPH ROSENTHAL, 45, Dundee, Mich.
MISS ELIZABETH BURNS, 18, Blissfield, Mich.
DR. T. C. SOUTHWORTH, 60, Toledo.
W. E. ROONEY, 36, Sandwich, Ont.
BEN FITCH, Detroit.
A. W. HEBNER, Detroit.
J. E. FERGUSON, Toledo.
JACOB HUBER, Toledo.
Today wrecking crews of the D. U. R. were untangling the snarled wreckage of the two cars. The front quarter of each car was rammed into the other.

Detroit, Sept. 3. -- Officials of the Detroit United Lines here launched a sweeping investigation today into causes of the crash of two interurban cars at Monroe late yesterday, which resulted in death of eight passengers and injury of 31 others. Ellsworth J. Burdick, vice president of the road, announced at noon that General Superintendent Harry Boilen had gone to Toledo to obtain a complete statement from WILLIS OWENS, motorman on one of the cars.
Pending a complete investigation, Burdick said he contemplated issuing no statement, explaining he felt it would not be fair to members of the train crews, who were questioned here today.

Evening Chronicle Marshall Michigan 1926-09-03
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!